Jewett-Eastman House to be acquired by Historic New England following library move
South Berwick, Maine – December 6, 2011 - The Jewett Eastman Memorial Committee and Historic New England are pleased to announce that ownership of the Jewett-Eastman House on Portland Street will transfer to Historic New England. The house will continue to serve the community, as it has done for forty years as the home of the South Berwick Public Library, which is relocating in winter 2012 to the former St. Michael’s Church on Young Street. Historic New England will use the Jewett-Eastman House for public program space, meeting and function space, periodic presentation of traveling exhibitions, and office space for local and regional staff of the organization.
The Jewett-Eastman House is located next door to Historic New England’s Sarah Orne Jewett House, which currently operates as one of the organization’s two museum properties in town. The other is the Hamilton House on Vaughan’s Lane. Acquisition of the Jewett-Eastman House will expand Historic New England’s ability to serve the public through increased programming and presentation of traveling exhibitions, and growing partnerships with local organizations through collaborative use of the site. In addition, the opportunity to move staff offices from the Sarah Orne Jewett House to the Jewett-Eastman House allows for expanding and reconfiguring museum space to tell the story of author Sarah Orne Jewett, one of South Berwick’s most prominent historic figures.
The Jewett-Eastman House was formerly owned by Historic New England until 1984, when it was purchased by the Jewett Eastman Memorial Committee with preservation easements held by Historic New England. Through its Stewardship program, one of the first in the country, Historic New England now holds permanent preservation easements on eighty-one properties that are private homes, or as in the case of Jewett-Eastman House, serve important functions in their communities.
Today, Historic New England is a national leader in growing audiences and expanding outreach through creative uses of its historic sites. Restoring the historical connection between the two Jewett properties aligns with the Jewett Eastman Memorial Committee’s goals for the future of the site. With acquisition of the property, Historic New England will invite members of the committee to form the nucleus of a Community Friends of the Jewett-Eastman Houses, a volunteer group that will continue to help Historic New England connect the houses to the community.
“As we work to use our historic sites across New England to add value for the communities we serve, the opportunity to reacquire Jewett-Eastman House will allow Historic New England to have a stronger presence in the cultural life of South Berwick and the surrounding region. We are grateful to the Jewett Eastman Memorial Committee,” said Historic New England President Carl R. Nold.
“It has been wonderful having the public library in the house of one of Maine’s most notable authors,” said Jewett Eastman Memorial Committee President Rick Coughlin, noting that Sarah Orne Jewett lived in the house thirty-three years and wrote over 140 stories, books, and poems there. “Now that the library is moving to a new building, our committee is pleased that Historic New England will continue to preserve this town landmark and continue to offer it as a resource to our community and visitors.”
About Historic New England
Historic New England is the oldest,
largest, and most comprehensive regional heritage organization in the nation. We
bring history to life while preserving the past for everyone interested in
exploring the authentic New England experience from the seventeenth century to
today. Historic New England owns and operates thirty-six historic homes and
landscapes spanning five states. The organization shares the region’s history
through vast collections, publications, public programs, museum properties,
archives, and family stories that document more than 400 years of life in New
England. For more information visit HistoricNewEngland.org.
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